Space Development Agency aims high for 2024 after strong 2023 start
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-07 23:52
Space Development Agency has set its sights on an ambitious launch schedule for 2024. SDA is developing a network of satellites known as the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. The constellation is designed to provide capabilities like advanced missile warning, tracking and targeting of hypersonic weapons.
Lawmakers unveil 2024 defense authorization bill with space priorities
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-07 21:20
The 2024 NDAA authorizes a defense budget of $886 billion after weeks of negotiations. The final negotiated version of the bill now goes back to the full House and Senate for final passage. The bill punts on the thorny issue of establishing a separate Space National Guard. The legislation also directs new intelligence sharing requirements between the Pentagon and commercial satellite industry.
NASA revises contract strategy for ISS deorbit vehicle
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-07 20:55
NASA will give companies greater choice in the type of contract to use for producing a deorbit vehicle. The U.S. Deorbit Vehicle will be used to handle the final phases of a controlled reentry of the ISS. NASA requested $180 million for the vehicle in its fiscal year 2024 budget proposal.
FCC nod puts Dish-EchoStar merger on home stretch
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-07 20:35
The FCC gave its blessing Dec. 6 to transfer all of Dish Network’s licenses to EchoStar. The approval is one of the final conditions needed to complete a merger. The merger could be wrapped up as soon as this week, analyst says. Erik Carlson resigned as chief executive of Dish Network last month.
Rethink the Mars Program
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-07 15:05
A recent review of the plan of its flagship Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission pegged its cost at $10 billion. It threatens to preclude funding any other exploration missions to the Red Planet for the next decade and a half. NASA claims that its Mars exploration program aims to search for life. But the agency last flew a life detection experiment to Mars in 1976.
NASA working with industry to advance inflatable heat shield technology
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-07 12:41
NASA flew last November the Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator. The inflatable heat shield survived reentry and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean. United Launch Alliance showed an interest in the technology as part of its SMART concept.
Egypt joins China’s ILRS moon base initiative
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-07 12:37
Egypt and China sign a series of space agreements Wednesday. Areas of cooperation include joint research in lunar and deep space exploration. China-led ILRS envisions constructing a permanent lunar base in the 2030s. 33 countries have now signed the U.S.-led Artemis Accords.
Rocket Lab to launch South Korean satellite – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-07 00:00
Rocket Lab has signed a launch services agreement to launch an Earth Observation (EO) satellite for the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in 2024. KAIST’s NeonSat-1 will be the primary payload on an Electron rideshare mission that will also deploy NASA’s Advanced Composite Solar Sail System, or ACS3 satellite. The mission will lift-off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand.
Airbus starts Galileo Second Generation satellite production – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-07 00:00
Full production has started on the six Galileo Second Generation (G2) satellites at Airbus’ site in Friedrichshafen, Germany. The G2 satellites will incorporate enhanced navigation antennas which will help improve accuracy of the flagship European Global Navigation Satellite System. They will be controllable with an increased data rate to and from the ground and equipped with advanced jamming and spoofing protection mechanisms to safeguard Galileo signals.
Airbus selects Kenya for the 1st HAPS drone hub – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-08 00:00
AALTO HAPS Ltd. Aims to deploy its Zephyr aircraft that can stay aloft for days at a time from four or five bases around the world. The operational hub in Laikipia County in Kenya early next year. This development could bring about a significant boost to the local economy by potentially creating up to 1,000 job opportunities.
Orbex appoints new CCO – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-08 00:00
Orbex has appointed John Bone as the company’s new Chief Commercial Officer. John Bone brings a wealth of experience to Orbex, with more than 20 years in the space Industry, including 18 years in Director or C-level positions. His appointment marks a significant step for Orbex as the company gears up for the historic launch of Orbex Prime.
Comtech names an industry leader as the firm’s Chief Corporate Development Officer – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-07 00:00
John Ratigan is Comtech's first Chief Corporate Development Officer (CCDO) Ratigan brings more than three decades of leadership experience to his position as Comtech’s CCDO. Prior to joining Comtech, Ratigan served as CEO and President of iDirect Government as well as holding a position as an Executive Committee Member of ST Engineering iDirect.
Australia’s ELO2 consortium’s first prototype Moon rover for NASA’s Artemis mission – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-07 00:00
The ELO 2 consortium has unveiled a prototype of what may become Australia’s first lunar rover. The consortium is working on the project under the Australian Space Agency’s Moon to Mars Trailblazer program that aims to land the rover on the Moon as part of a future NASA Artemis mission. If selected for the mission, on the Moon’s surface, it will be tasked with transporting lunar regolith to a NASA-run facility for the extraction of oxygen.
Launch Roundup: SpaceX continues toward 100 launch goal
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-06 18:04
SpaceX is planning to launch three Starlink missions this week. The company is planning to launch two from Cape Canaveral and one from Vandenberg. On Sunday, Falcon Heavy will place the USSF-52 mission into a currently unknown orbit. Later in the week, Landpsace will launch its third ZhuQue-2 vehicle. China is expected to launch a currently unknown payload atop the Chang Zheng 2D rocket.